A NEW project to support the growing community energy movement has been launched by Regen SW. 

The Community Accelerator Project will work with 30 communities directly and countless others through publicly available training and tools to generate, own and save energy.

The national project is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation with additional support being made available by Devon County Council.

Over the next few weeks Regen will be selecting 30 communities from more than 200 in its network and more than 5,000 groups nationally. It will be looking for community groups who want to engage their whole community and who need technical expertise to find the most appropriate sites and renewable technologies.

Community groups in Devon who apply will also be eligible for up to £5,000 grant funding each. This money can be used to pay for start-up assistance from legal fees to community engagement and lots in between.

Regen's chief executive Merlin Hyman said: 'Community energy has huge potential as an enabler for communities to generate sustainable income and local jobs. Communities such as Bath, Wadebridge and Plymouth have shown what can be achieved – now we want to support the aspirations of all those who have been inspired by these trailblazers.'

Devon County councillor Roger Croad, cabinet member for Community and Environmental Services, said: 'We know that over £300-million and £400-million is spent on energy in the north and south of Devon respectively, all of which disappears out of the local economy.

'Continuing our support to community energy groups will help build firm foundations for communities to work together to generate their own energy.'

The project will enable community energy groups to better engage their whole communities and increase the number of people in their core group enabling them to maintain momentum and draw in skills from within their own communities, rather than rely on limited and competitive funding. 

The project will also provide groups with access to expertise and good data to enable them to focus their efforts on realistic projects.

If you would like to find out more, visit http://www.regen.co.uk/communities">www.regen.co.uk/communities and sign up to the Regen communities network to register your interest.